Alan Duncan: Labour chokes on Tory 'media triumph'

Imagine a minister makes a tit of himself, has to apologise, yet manages to cling on despite everyone knowing that he is a dead man walking. Then one evening weeks later, when the news is dominated by the outcome of a significant terror trial, said minister is summarily axed. Would the Prime Minister have been praised for his "slick media management" or caned with extreme prejudice for burying bad news? You can imagine how Labour feels this morning: you just can't win.

This is not say that Paul Waugh is wrong. The Tory operation is good at this kind of hit and run thing. But the deciding factor is David Cameron, who is both decisive and ruthless. He's making a speech on repairing politics today which would look silly with Alan Duncan still in his job. Mr Duncan has many great qualities and despite his own taste for lavish gardens showed every sign of "getting" that public anger. Or at least he did until his legendary vanity persuaded him it would be a good idea to buy a drink for the chap who did him in.

Guido today makes the key point that frontbenchers are being scrutinised as never before and the new media battalions on the Interweb thingy are ready to get them if they get cocky. Just look at the power of ConHome's poll on Mr Duncan, which helped seal his fate. The appointment of Sir George Young counters those who had expected him to call it a day after he lost out on the Speaker's job. And it gently shifts the Shadow Cabinet in waiting from a collection of inexperienced enthusiasts to a body of seasoned politicians ready for office. Neat.